Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1887-11-26
THE ARMY.
Gen. Sheridan Sums Up she Condition
Ofthe Various Divisions.


ofthe Various Divisions.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15.-Lieutenanl
General p. H. Sheridan in his annual re-
port briefly sums up the conditions of the
various divisions of the army. OF the di-
vision of the Missouri he saws that the whole
oft has been free from Indian hostilities of
any magnitude, many operations of minor
nature have been rendered necessary.
Troops have been continually occupied in
patrolling the Oklahoma country and have
been successful in keeping intruders out Of
that region. The gradual spread of rail-
roads throughout the territory can, how.
ever, ultimately have but one effect, and
General Sheridan is of the opinion that
congress may well consider the adyisa-
bility of opening up the reservation,
at least of this country to settlement.
General Sheridan does not look favorably
upon the proposition of General Miles ia
separate the Indians now at San Carlos into
several camps, about 100 or 200 miles apart.
Divided into different bands, he saws, each
location might become the center OF dis
turbanees, and the difficulties of their
supervision would be greatly increased.
The artillery; infantry and cavalry
schools are reported TO be doing good work,
and the army has greatly improved in rifle
practice. The general renews his recon-
mendation tlfat 5000 men be added, and
that two majors and two captains be added
to each infantry regiment. He urges, as a
measure highly promotiye of efficiency, the
refinement of about eighty old OIL
GERS who are unfit for duty,
but whose detention on the active
list places additional work on men who arc
at the same time withheld from promotion
thereby. On the question of arms, the re-
port says the time is near at hand when the
army should be supplied with machine
guns, aud says that unless effective arms of
this character are developed by American
manufacturers very soon, the government
should adopt some foreign repeating gun.
General Sheridan concludes his report with
recommendation that the government ex-
tends all possible aid to the national guard
of the different states. They should be
armed with the best weapons, ssamply pro-
yided with completed camp and garri--
son equipage, and instructed
in various drills and exercises
according to the tactics and systems fol-
lowed in the regular army. Most of the
state troops now march well and handle
guns well; but they are deficient IN dis
cipline and in all the duties that teach the
soldier how to take care of himself while in
camp or upon the march. This defect can
be best overcome by establishing some svs-
tenn of encampment under the control and
dir ction, and at the entire expense of the
general government. The general recon-
mends that a favorable consideration of the
subject be commended to congress-
The general reviews the difficulties aris-
ing in August last in Colorado, near the
Uneomphagre Indian reservation. He also
touches upon the recent trouble occurring
on the Crow Indian reservation in Montana
and its settlement by General Ringer. In
regard to the concentration ofthe army in
larger posts, the report says work on the
new post at Denver, where it is proposed TO
place ten companies, will shortly be com
menced; that OF San Antonio has been pro-
crossing favorably during the year. The
ground for q new post near Chicago will
pass into the possession of the government
at an early day; and at Fort Smelling both
the reservation and other attendant condi-
tions are favorable for the establishment of
large garrison, and only some additional
buildings are required for their accommo-
dation. The reconstruction of Fort Riley
has been actively prosecuted during the
year, but before it can be completed addi-
tional appropriations will be necessary.